Introduction
Udemy is an online learning platform that offers courses on various subjects from technology, business, and design to health, fitness, and more. To become a Udemy instructor, you must create a course that meets its quality standards and guidelines. This means that you must have expertise in the subject you’re teaching, and the course should be well-organized, engaging, and informative.
Once your course is approved, you can publish it on the platform and start earning money. Udemy has a revenue-sharing model, where instructors can earn anywhere between 50% to 97% of the course sales, depending on how the students enrolled in the course.
The amount of money you can make from sell courses on Udemy depends on several factors, such as the quality and popularity of your course, the number of students who enrol in it, and the price you set for it. The platform provides analytics and insights to help you track your earnings and optimize your course content to attract more students.
In addition to the revenue-sharing model, Udemy has promotional tools to help you increase your course sales. These tools include advertising, email marketing, and affiliate marketing programs. By leveraging these tools, you can reach a broader audience and earn more money from your courses.
Understanding Udemy’s Revenue Model for Instructors
One Key Factor – Udemy’s Instructor Revenue Share
Udemy’s primary source of revenue comes from the commission they charge on each course sale. However, instructors also get a sizeable chunk of the revenue share, distinguishing it from other online learning platforms. The instructor revenue share varies with the course’s sale price, promotions, and other factors. It usually ranges from 25% to 97%, with a minimum of 25%. It means that Udemy takes a portion of the average course sale, and the rest goes to the instructors.
What Percentage Does Udemy Take From Instructors?
Udemy’s revenue share percentage varies depending on the course’s sale price and promotional activities. Still, the minimum percentage they take is 3% of the sales. It means that if an instructor sells a course for $100, Udemy will take a minimum of $3 as their commission. If the instructor revenue pool or share is 50%, Udemy will take $50, and the instructor will keep the remaining $50. In short, the more revenue an instructor generates, the larger the revenue share they earn.
How Do Instructor Earnings Work on Udemy?
Instructors who opt for the revenue share model have recurring earnings on their courses, even if they stop promoting them. Udemy pays the instructor revenue share monthly if the earnings exceed $100. If the earnings do not exceed $100, the amount carries over to the next payment cycle. The revenue report for instructors can cash out their earnings using their PayPal account or generate a Udemy coupon to enrol in any of the courses for free.
How Much Commission Does Udemy Charge Toward Every Sale on the Platform?
Udemy’s primary source of revenue is the commission they charge towards every sale made on the platform. Generally, Udemy’s commission ranges between 3% to 75%, averaging 40% to 50%. If an instructor or online course creator uses Udemy’s promotional tools to promote their course, Udemy will charge an additional 25%. It means that if an instructor sells a course for $100 on Udemy’s platform, they will receive $25 if they opt for a 25% revenue share model. The remaining $75 will include Udemy’s commission, which varies with the sale price and promotional activities.
Exploring the Income Potential on Udemy
How Much Do Udemy Instructors Earn On Average?
Udemy instructor earnings vary depending on several factors, including the subject matter, demand, competition, and pricing of paid courses. According to Udemy, instructors can expect to earn an average of $8,000 per year for a single course. However, it’s important to note that some instructors make more than $100,000 per year, while others don’t earn much at all.
Our Udemy Instructor Earnings Estimates
To give you a better idea of what to expect, let’s look at some real-life examples. A popular instructor on Udemy, Angela Yu, earned over $1 million in the last year alone by teaching coding courses. Another instructor, Phil Ebiner, earned over $250,000 by teaching photography courses. However, other instructors may earn less, depending on the competition and course demand.
How to Know the Revenue Potential For a Course Topic on Udemy?
If you’re interested in becoming a Udemy instructor, it’s important to research the revenue potential for your desired course topic. Udemy provides some helpful tools and resources to estimate the demand and competition for your course. For example, you can use the Udemy Insights tool to see how many people search for your course topic on Google and YouTube. You can also check the Udemy Marketplace to see how many courses are on your topic and what they are priced at.
To increase your chances of success, you should focus free courses on unique and in-demand topics that have less competition on Udemy. For example, consider teaching a course on a niche subject like virtual reality or data analysis. It’s also important to price your course competitively and provide high-quality content to attract students and earn positive reviews.
What are other ways to gauge the income potential of a Udemy course?
Another way to gauge the income potential of a Udemy course is to research the demand and competitiveness of the chosen topic. You can use tools like Google Trends, Keyword Planner, or Udemy Insights to see how many people are searching for the relevant keywords and how many competing courses are already on Udemy. If you find a growing niche with few quality courses, you may have a higher chance of success than if you pick a saturated topic with many established rivals.
Once you have identified a promising course topic, you can start creating your course by following Udemy’s guidelines and tools. Udemy provides a user-friendly course creation platform that allows you to upload videos, audio, slides, quizzes, and other materials in a structured way. You can also use Udemy’s marketing and promotional features, such as discount coupons, affiliate programs, and reviews, to attract students and build your reputation. Remember, however, that creating a great course requires time, effort, and expertise. You can collaborate with others or seek feedback from potential students to improve your course content and delivery.
Can the Instructor Control Their Udemy Earnings by Tweaking the Course Price?
According to Udemy’s website, the typical instructor’ monthly revenue made in the first year is $9,000. However, this figure can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the popularity of the course topic, instructional quality, marketing strategies, and competition. Some successful Udemy instructors have reported over $100,000 per year, while others may struggle to earn even $1,000. Therefore, it’s important to approach Udemy as a business opportunity with realistic expectations and a willingness to experiment and improve.
Can the Instructor Estimate Their Course’s Earning Potential on the Platform?
To estimate the potential revenue of a Udemy course, you can use the Revenue Share Calculator available on Udemy’s website. This tool allows you to input various parameters such as the course price, number of students, and promotion methods and see the estimated revenue split between you and Udemy. For instance, if you set a course price of $50 and attract 100 students, your gross revenue would be $5000. Udemy takes a 50% cut of this amount, leaving you with $2500. Of course, this is just an example, and the actual revenue may be higher or lower depending on the course content and engagement.
Success Stories and Earnings on Udemy
Nick Nyxson on YouTube: A Case Study
Nick Nyxson is a popular YouTube creator who teaches video editing courses on Udemy. In 2019, he made over $200,000 from his Udemy courses alone! That’s a lot of money, right? But it’s not just about the money; Nick is passionate about teaching others how to edit videos and create content. His success on Udemy came from his high-quality courses, positive reviews from students, and marketing strategies, such as giveaways and promotional videos on YouTube.
Viking Dev Udemy Earnings: A Case Study
Viking Dev is another Udemy instructor who has made a lot of money from his courses. He teaches web development and programming courses on Udemy and has earned over $1 million since 2012. How did he do it? Viking Dev is known for his clear and concise explanations, hands-on projects, and course updates to keep up with changes in the tech industry. He also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for free and paid courses and responds quickly to student questions and concerns.
Michael Hetherington Udemy Earnings: A Case Study
Michael Hetherington is a successful Udemy instructor who teaches meditation and mindfulness courses. He has made over $150,000 from his Udemy courses and has over 66,000 students! Michael’s success comes from his meditation expertise, engaging and informative teaching style, and commitment to helping students improve their mental health and well-being. He even offers personalized coaching and support to students who want to take their mindfulness practice to the next level.
So, who makes the most money on Udemy?
Well, it’s hard to say since many successful instructors are on the platform, each with their unique approach and teaching style. However, there are common factors among successful Udemy instructors, such as having high-quality courses, engaging with students, and promoting their courses effectively. Suppose you are interested in becoming a successful Udemy instructor. In that case, you should focus on developing your skills, creating high-quality courses, and engaging with your students to build a positive reputation and following.
Tips and Strategies for Making Money on Udemy
5 Tips for Making Money on Udemy
Tip #1: Teach Your Best Skills
The first tip to create a successful course on Udemy is to teach your best skills. As a 6th grader, you must have excelled in a particular subject. For example, if you’re good at math, you can create a course on math for beginners or advanced students. Think of your course as a way to share your expertise and help others. You don’t need to be an expert in everything, but it’s essential to teach what you know and love.
Tip #2: Create Engaging Content
The second tip is to create engaging content. You want your students to be excited about your course. To do this, you need to put effort into making your course interactive, informative, and visually appealing. Use images, videos, quizzes, and assignments to keep your students engaged throughout the course. Engaging content will help increase your student’s retention rate, and they will likely recommend your course to others.
Tip #3: Research Your Topic Thoroughly
Before creating your course, research your topic thoroughly. This will help you create a comprehensive course that covers all the essential aspects of the subject. You can use Google, Quora, Reddit, or any other platform to gather information and insights about your topic. Additionally, it’s important to check out other courses on Udemy in your niche to see what other instructors are doing and how to differentiate your course from theirs.
Tip #4: Develop the course content:
Spend some time creating a structure and content for your course. Break down the topic into smaller modules and sections, and make it easy for students to follow. Use a mix of text, images, and video, and don’t forget to enjoy it!
Tip #5: Price Your Course Strategically
The fourth tip to make money on Udemy is to price your course strategically. Keep in mind that Udemy takes a commission on each sale, so you need to set a price that is competitive yet profitable. You can also offer discounts, promotional codes, or bundle deals to attract students. It’s also essential to update your course occasionally to keep it relevant and valuable.
Alternatives to Udemy
It might be time to explore alternatives beyond Udemy. Fortunately, many other reputable online course marketplaces allow creators to teach their courses, share their expertise, and reach a broader audience. In this article, we’ll share some top platforms for creators looking to take their courses to the next level!
1. Skillshare – Skillshare is an excellent alternative to Udemy that provides an engaged and dedicated community, short video classes, and a high-quality design for students. Skillshare offers a referral program for higher income and a subscriber-based pricing model in which instructors could earn a share of the monthly subscription revenue, based on viewer engagement. Skillshare is an excellent platform for beginner-level creators seeking a dedicated and passionate audience.
2. Teachable – A stunning white-labelled platform perfect for every type of course creator. Teachable provides a comprehensive course builder with engaging customizations to suit individual needs. It’s an excellent option for those who are patient and willing to put the time in to make the platform their own.
3. Thinkific – A highly customizable platform with plenty of features geared towards creating and selling online courses. You could have your library of courses with recurring subscription payments side-by-side with student purchases of all the learning tools that Thinkific offers. Students could use the course player mode of their preference, and course creators could earn more due to no transaction fees.
4. Kajabi – A highly complex and expansive online course creation tool, Kajabi advertises its capabilities well beyond solely courses or webinars. Kajabi offers many built-in marketing and CRM features for selling online courses or creating stores related to your brand. If you want to create and customize multiple courses on a highly flexible platform with perks like email campaigns as a part, Kajabi is for you!
5. Coursera – Coursera is a platform where you can offer university-level courses. Coursera partners with top universities and organizations to launch courses with high-quality content and accreditation. It’s an excellent platform for established creators with a reputation looking to offer college-level courses within Coursera’s structure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling on Udemy
1. Do I need to have teaching experience to create a course?
While having teaching experience is certainly helpful, it’s not a requirement for teaching on Udemy. However, you will need to be knowledgeable about the topic that you’re already teaching online, and have a clear and engaging way of presenting the material to attract students. It’s also important to recognize that creating a course on Udemy takes time and effort, so you’ll need to be committed to the process.
2. How can I make my course stand out from others?
With so many courses available on Udemy, it can be challenging to get your course noticed by potential students. However, there are a few things you can do to make your course stand out. Firstly, make sure your course title and description are attention-grabbing and accurate. Secondly, create high-quality course materials, such as video lectures and supplemental resources, that are engaging and informative.
3. Can I teach on Udemy as a part-time job?
Many teachers on Udemy do teach part-time, using it as a way to supplement their income or share their expertise with others while also working a full-time job. However, it’s important to recognize that teaching on Udemy does require a significant time commitment, both in creating the course materials and in promoting your course to potential students.
4. How do you get started selling on Udemy?
Getting started on Udemy is easy. First, create an account on Udemy. Then, plan your course content and create your lectures. Once your course is ready, upload it to Udemy and set the price. Udemy will review your course and let you know if it meets its quality standards. After your course is approved, you can begin marketing it to potential students.
5.How much do Udemy instructors make?
That depends on several factors, including the subject matter, the quality of the course, and the instructor’s marketing efforts. However, Udemy offers a revenue share model for its instructors, where they can earn up to 97% of the revenue generated through the platform. The more successful a course is, the more money the instructor can make.
Udemy Business also offers a unique opportunity for instructors to reach a large and diverse customer base. Instructors can tap into Udemy Business’s network of customers, which includes companies and organizations from a wide range of industries and sectors. This can help instructors gain more exposure for their courses and reach new audiences they might not be able to get otherwise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regarding Udemy instructor earnings potential, it’s important to remember that it varies based on several factors. Factors like course topics, marketing efforts, course quality, and engagement with students can all impact how much an instructor can earn. However, with the right combination of these factors, instructors can make a substantial income on the platform. The bottom line is that it’s up to teachers to put in the time and effort to create high-quality courses, market them effectively, and engage with their students. With hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve success on Udemy.